Gabriel (Guardian Defenders Book 1)

by Kris Michaels

  “We've got an issue.” McNair dropped a folder in front of him as St. James shut the conference room door.

  Gabriel lifted the folder cover and scanned the page. “All right, gentlemen. Let's begin. Where are we with logistical support? What was the timetable on supplies to our people and where did the system break?”

  He leaned back in his chair and listened carefully. No matter how tired he was, his staff, his teams, and his clients, deserved his full attention.

  Chapter 18

  Anna slid off the couch and padded over to the small dining room table that held two unused place settings. She cupped the flame of the candle with her hand and blew gently, extinguishing the slim taper that had burned down to the candleholder.

  The knock on her door at seven hadn’t been Gabriel, but one of his men. “Gabriel has been unavoidably detained.” The message delivered, the man stepped away from her door but paused. “Thank you for breakfast this morning, ma'am. It was a very nice thing to do. All of us are grateful.”

  Anna smiled at the man's retreating form. That was three-and-a-half hours ago. She'd cooled the chicken stew and put it into a Tupperware container. The dry ingredients for the dumplings were poured into a sandwich bag and placed in the cupboard. She'd opened a bottle of wine, plopped several ice cubes in her glass and fished out the cheese, fruit, and crackers that remained from last night. After a big lunch with Jackie and Deacon, she would be fine with nibbles and wine.

  The TV had provided some diversion, but her eyes had strayed to the door, both the front and the open door that joined both apartments, yet Gabriel had not made an appearance. It took less than three minutes to clean up the kitchen and living room. She glanced at the clock and sighed.

  She should have brought the belt she was working on. Her fingers itched to tool the designs she'd learned and made her own. It took attention to detail, a precise tap on the sharp leather tool and perfect placement to make a beautiful piece of hand-tooled leather. She longed for the simple distraction. Her thoughts had too much time to bounce around in her head. She'd gone from slightly put out that Gabriel would be late to inordinately worried that he was working on so little sleep. Well... no sleep. It wasn't healthy, nor was it good for his business decisions. At least, in her professional opinion. Doctors in emergency rooms routinely worked insane schedules, but they learned to drop into cots and sleep when they could. Had Gabriel slept today?

  She'd made a trip to the corner pharmacy. After all, she had plans for tonight, and if Gabriel worked all day, he might not be… prepared. She wasn’t willing to take that chance. It took about ten minutes walking time to make it to the market after her trek to the pharmacy. Then she stopped at the specialty shop near the building to grab some dark roast coffee, and some pecan pralines, which were a complete impulse buy. The fresh made candy's aroma made it impossible to resist, so she waited in line to buy some of the drool-worthy treats.

  “Ah, Anna, right?”

  She spun on her heel and blinked up at... Jerry… no Gary. “Oh, hey! How are you?”

  “Gary.” The man blushed and chuckled.

  “Oh, no, I remember. Gary, the accountant.”

  “CPA actually, and you are Anna, the nurse.” He chuckled and nodded to the coffee beans in her hand along with the shopping bags she held in the other hand. “Decided to make your own coffee rather than going out?”

  “What?” She glanced down at her coffee beans and chuckled. “Something like that. I'm staying in the building where I work, and they have this weird coffee with chicory added. Definitely not my cup of tea, or coffee, as it were.

  “It does take some getting used to, that's for sure, but after a while, drinking it any other way becomes almost a sin.”

  He laughed as the lady in front of Anna turned around and agreed with a pointed “Amen.”

  He waited until the lady turned back around before he lowered his voice and asked, “Do they give you time off, because I'd still like to buy you that coffee, sans chicory if you're willing.”

  Anna stepped forward as the line moved and then glanced back at Gary. He was a nice-looking man. Today he wore jeans and a collared shirt, which he filled out nicely. Polite and easy-going, but… he wasn't anything like Gabriel. If she hadn't renewed her acquaintance with the sexy security specialist? Who knew, maybe, but...

  She smiled sadly and shook her head. “I'm sorry. I'm working almost nonstop, at least for the next couple of weeks.”

  “Oh.” The man smiled and nodded to the line that had moved. Anna placed her order for the candy and watched in awkward silence as the woman behind the counter put the handmade treasures into a small white box. She thanked the store associate politely and shuffled into the line to pay for her purchases.

  When she’d looked back, Gary had been walking out of the store. She hated that she’d made him feel bad. What harm could a cup of coffee do? She’d have to tell Gabriel, and that would be, like, totally awkward. Anna groaned and rolled her eyes. Damn it.

  The sound of a key in the next apartment brought her out of her head. She scurried across her living room. The television still played quietly in the background, but the sound of the key was a noise she'd listened for all night. She damn near skipped into his apartment and slid to a stop when she heard him talking. She backpedaled like a cartoon character and grabbed the door on his side of the apartment and pulled it almost closed, but didn’t release the handle.

  “The transportation issues can be remedied. We can be there when the information from your contacts in the Mossad comes through.”

  “It is a patch, not a fix. I want you to work with St. James. We need transport aircraft. Reliable aircraft and I don't give a fuck about the expense. I can't run a business when my logistical arm has been chopped off.” Anna held the door, not sure if she should click it shut and bring attention to herself or to stand where she was and listen.

  “If we weren't here, we could focus on building the overseas arm.”

  Anna rolled her eyes. It seemed McNair was his typical nasty self.

  “Enough. I will not have this conversation again, Craig. This is my decision. Mine. I will take it in the direction I want to take it. Whatever heartburn you have you need to get over.”

  Her eyes grew round at Gabriel's sharp reply. Well, McNair deserved a sharp word. A sharp stick and a well-placed jab or two wouldn't hurt either. She leaned forward and looked through the crack in the door.

  “You're spreading yourself too thin.” The man's voice actually softened. Gabriel's back was to McNair, but Mr. Clean turned to watch his boss. Anna crooked her head in confusion. The guy actually seemed concerned. Who knew the jerk had feelings?

  “I'm not doing anything I don't ask of my people. This is a transition period for us, Craig; we are growing and changing. You need to get on board and support me. I won't fight you at every turn. I can't.”

  Anna leaned so she could see the big bald badass.

  “Man, that isn't what I want either, but you take risks you don't need to take.”

  “I can assure you I don't.”

  “I beg to disagree, but, and I mean this, I will support you on your growth agenda. I will also try to curb my zeal in reminding you to take care of yourself. Deal?” The man reached out his big mitt. The same one that had gripped her arm so viciously.

  Gabriel shoved his hand into the other man's grasp, and they did the man hug thing with a few big pats on each other's back.

  “I'll believe it when I see it, my friend, but I do need to rack out and so do you.” Gabriel broke free of the clinch and dropped his suit jacket from his shoulders. His eyes tracked to the door she stood behind. A smile split his face for a moment.

  “Roger that. Meetings don't start until nine tomorrow morning. Thank God. I've got a dead butt from so many damn briefings and meetings. I'm hitting up the gym tomorrow at about eight. You?” Craig asked as he grabbed the doorknob to the front door. Anna damn near vibrated with excitement waiting for the man to leave.
>
  “I think I'll sleep in.” Gabriel cast a deliberate glance toward the door.

  “Getting soft in your old age, huh?”

  “Nah, just taking a moment to slow down. Catching my breath so I can continue to be everything to everyone.”

  “You do that. Can't have you burning out on us. What would we do without our fearless leader?”

  “You'd survive.” Gabriel's droll reply sounded like they'd said the words before.

  “I doubt that, my man. Not without you.”

  Anna looked from Gabriel, who was rolling up his shirt sleeves, to McNair. The last words were said softly, almost in a whisper. She heard them because the doors were so close in proximity. Anna twisted to get a better look at the man. He had a sad smile on his face even though Gabriel didn't see it. McNair cleared his throat and said goodnight in his normal voice before he pulled the door shut behind him.

  Anna swung the door open slowly and waited for Gabriel to notice her. He finished rolling up his shirt sleeve and drew a huge breath, sighing it out and rolling his shoulders.

  “Need a massage, big boy?” Anna smiled when Gabriel's head snapped in her direction.

  “Let's see... If I were listing the things I need, it would start with a kiss, not a massage.” Gabriel prowled across the room as he spoke.

  “And what would your list end with?”

  “A full night of uninterrupted sleep in a soft bed.” His arms snaked around her waist and pulled her from the leaning position she'd taken up against the doorjamb.

  “Really?”

  He nodded. “Do you want to know the second to last thing I need tonight?”

  “Maybe? Do you think I should know what it is?” She slid her hands up his arms following the ridges and swells of his muscles.

  “Definitely, as it involves you and me together on said bed.”

  “Together? Sleeping?”

  He shook his head. “No, not sleeping.”

  “Talking?”

  He shook his head again, a smile taking up permanent residence on his face. “No. Not talking.”

  “Hmm…” Anna snapped her fingers and smiled. “Watching television?”

  “Wrong again.” He lowered his lips to hers and set about effectively wiping every coherent thought from her brain. She tightened her arms around his neck when he tried to end the kiss. The low complaining groan that escaped her sounded needy even to her ears. Not that she cared. No, she was saying damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead. Tonight was a choice she made. One she knew she wouldn’t regret.

  When he finally pulled away, she dropped her forehead to his chest. “Wow, cowboy. I like the starting point on that list.”

  He agreed with a low rumbled hum.

  Anna lifted her head and met his eyes. “What’s next? We want to make sure we cover every item on that agenda of yours.”

  His hands traveled up and down her back. He lifted an eyebrow and motioned to her apartment. “A shower.”

  Her gaze traveled the way he nodded. “You know I read an article that said water conservation is a citizen’s obligation to the next generation.”

  His smile popped again. “Is that so?”

  She held up three fingers. “Scout’s honor.”

  “You are not a Boy Scout.”

  “True, but I hear they are pretty darn honorable. One should never doubt anything prefaced with those solemn words.” She slid her hand into his and twisted out of his arms. She led him into her apartment, through the living room, and into the bedroom. Dropping his hand, she went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. She kept her back turned as she drew her baggy t-shirt off, dropped it on the counter, and shimmied out of her running shorts.

  “Fuck, you’re just as beautiful as I remember.”

  She turned her head and sucked in a lung full of air. His shirt and undershirt lay on the opposite side of the counter. His belt and zipper were undone. His body was sculpted with plates of muscle. The light dusting of hair across his chest fell into a trail which disappeared at the waistband of his boxers.

  Anna turned slowly. “You’re better than I remembered.” She walked toward him and ran her fingers up the trail of hair to his pecs, splaying them, and playing with the dark hair. She lifted onto her toes and placed a quick kiss on his lips. “Water conservation. Remember?”

  She reached over and opened the shower door. A gust of warm, wet air hit her exposed skin. She stepped sideways but didn’t take her eyes off him. He toed off his shoes and stripped out of his slacks and boxers in one sweep. His silk socks were tossed off a second later.

  Anna pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and watched him move toward her. His cock was heavy and thick, pointing toward her with a rigid urgency. She backed up as he moved forward. The warm water pelted her hair, flattening it to her head. She closed her eyes and leaned back into the stream of water. His hands found her at that moment. The water swept away her surprised gasp as he pulled her to him. “I need to be inside you again. You’ve bewitched me. For the last six years, when my mind drifts, it’s been you I’ve thought of. Why is that, Anna? What is it about you that makes me so damn hungry?”

  Anna pulled away so she could see his eyes. “Wow… you thought about me?”

  His eyes crinkled a little bit as a slow smile grew. “You’ll learn I don’t say things that aren’t true.”

  The warm water slid off her shoulders and ran between them until he pulled her forward and up to meet his lips. Anna opened for him and willed the multitude of questions that his words had spawned to quiet. Now wasn’t the time to talk. She broke the kiss and dropped from her toes. She smiled up at him as she slowly lowered to her knees.

  “I want to taste you again.” She slid her hands up his rock-hard thighs. The muscles under her hands flexed as he adjusted his stance. She leaned forward and kissed his thigh. His hand gently cupped the back of her head. A slow trail of kisses made his thighs quake, and his hips jolted when she took him in her mouth. Her hand circled the base of his cock. She stroked what she couldn’t consume. His skin velvet soft against the hard core of his shaft.

  “Anna.” His hand curled in her wet hair, and he pulled her away. She held him in her mouth and lifted her eyes.

  “I’m going to come if you don’t stop.” His thumb caressed her cheek as he spoke.

  She closed her eyes and hummed around his cock. Good. She wanted to make him come. She wanted to be the reason for his release. Again his cock thrust forward and went to the back of her throat and then pushed further, the head breaching her throat. She withdrew and moved forward again, feeling the head of his shaft rub against the entrance of her throat with each careful thrust.

  His thighs trembled under her hand, and he tightened his grip seconds before he spilled into her mouth. She swallowed convulsively, taking all of his release, licking and sucking at his spent cock until he pulled away and lifted her up into his arms.

  A smile spread across her face as his muscles relaxed against her. He had to be exhausted. Perhaps the condoms she’d bought at the pharmacy could wait. She’d always heard morning sex was pretty awesome.

  “How about we wash up and get to that soft bed?” She ran her hands over his broad chest as she spoke.

  “Perfect, because I still have two items to check off my list.” He reached for the bar of soap as he spoke.

  “Two?” She moved and spun him around, so he was under the water.

  “Definitely two. Me inside you, then me falling asleep with you in my arms.”

  “Are you sure you’re not too tired?” Anna lifted an eyebrow and helped spread the soap suds across his chest and down his abs.

  “It is my hope to never be that tired.” He winked at her before he dropped his head back into the water.

  She let her hands drift to his back when he turned. Touching every inch of his expansive back, spreading the suds, she used her fingers to dig into his tight muscles. He leaned forward and groaned in appreciation.

  She worked his hard, knot
ted muscles until her fingers lost strength. Slowly she ran her hands up the divot caused by his spine. The muscles moved under them. “Ready for that soft bed, cowboy?” Anna could sense his fatigue. It was as present as another person. A third she didn’t necessarily want to acknowledge, yet the caretaker in her demanded she recognize.

  She turned off the warm water, and they toweled off. She took his hand, led him to the bed, and pulled the sheets back. Gabriel rolled into the bed and caught her up in the process.

  She let loose with a bark of unexpected laughter. He closed his eyes and pulled her close to him. His free arm pulled the sheets and comforter up over them. A great yawn cracked his jaw and shook his entire body. “I’m sorry, just give me a minute to wake up. The orgasm and massage…” His words trailed off, and he yawned again.

  “Go to sleep, cowboy. I’ll be here when you wake up.” Her fingers traced his eyebrow softly. She smiled as his features relaxed, and his breathing evened out.

  Anna lay on her side, her cheek resting on the back of the hand she’d tucked under it. It was a privilege to study the man in her bed. At least it was for her because she was going to allow the self-indulgence. The fairy tale. The dream. He was beautiful and smart. She gazed at him and wondered if he really had thought of her. She smiled and closed her eyes. Even if it was a lie, the words were nice. She’d let herself believe them, at least until she went back to Colorado.

  Chapter 19

  Gabriel came awake with a start. The woman next to him sighed softly and shifted in her sleep. He blinked back the last vestiges of slumber while seeking out the alarm clock on the bedside table. Thank God. Five thirty. That gave him three and a half hours to ravish Anna. He slowly rolled back to her.

  Big brown eyes stared at him.

  “Good morning.” He pushed her bangs out of her eyes.

  “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

  “Like the dead.”

  She sat up and leaned on her elbow, and the sheet covering her breasts slipped down, exposing her ivory skin. He traced the seam of the sheet over the swells with his finger.